Shutterbug Strasse

Posted by SteveBrown (A) on June 18, 2011 at 08:08:23

In Reply to: RE: thinking of getting into Large Format...... posted by haugenmarka@hotmail.com on January 25, 2011 at 14:14:14

I have shot a lot of 4x5. I've used old Calumet rail type cameras, a Speed Graphic and a Zone iV, which was by far my favorite (a field camera). As with all things photo, the key is the lenses, I preferred Schneider but they're expensive. In 4x5, as you probably know, you will need a bunch of film holders and if you run out while in the field, changing film is a real hassle, even with the right equipment. Nothing, of course, beats a 4x5 for image quality. If it were me, I'd grab an old Speed Graphic off ebay with a 135mm lens or similar and give it a try, see if you can deal with the complications. Unless you're doing archetectural you really don't need the movable back, so a Graphic is fine. If you like it, go for a nicer camera and resell the Graphic. AFAIK, the Graphics all have a focal plane shutter in the back in addition to the leaf shutters in the lenses, which can be kind of nice.